Worst. Bloggers. Ever.

Yikes. Apparently, we can't even keep up with blogging once a month. Well, after all the flack we received during our adventures in the Midwest, we better get moving...

Speaking of, we COULDN'T move while we were in the Midwest because it was SO. HOT. As many California natives have warned us...California makes you soft. So soft, in fact, that doing anything besides existing in 120 degree heat index seems completely impossible. We had a fabulous time squeezing in visits with family and friends every minute of our week in Minnesota and Iowa but WOW were we happy to leave that heat. Sorry, folks.

What we did return to, however, was August in the East Bay. We were very familiar with the fog patterns of SF and we threw our heads back and laughed each day as the fog rolled into the city while we enjoyed beautiful, sunny evenings in the Town. Weeeellll, apparently August has a different plan for our hood. Most nights, the fog rolls on in around 6 pm and covers the base of the hills like a shroud. It hangs around in the morning, sometimes until noon or so, until the sun FINALLY breaks through and the afternoon skies are bright blue.

When you get up at 6 to go for a ride, it could be 4 am. The light is dim, the air is heavy and wet, so you pull on your screamin' yellow jacket, put on your (full fingered - these wimps are COLD!) gloves, and get on your bike...headed for the hills. And then, the coolest thing happens. You are riding through the mist, your glasses wet, suffering, head hanging, and then...Boom. You're in the middle of glorious sunshine, cloudless, blue skies, with a blanket of fog down below. It is awesome. These pictures don't totally capture the sensation but you can see the fog blanketing the base of the hills. It's totally worth the climb. Even if your legs don't think so. 

Yeah, that is NOT the bay, that is the fog...

Road to nowhere?

We've re-committed ourselves to exploring more of the city. It's hard to do when our weather/biking in the East Bay is so much better on the weekends BUT the City is pretty awesome and there is so much to do. Last weekend, we trekked into the city to the very end of the infamous N-Judah MUNI line (seriously, ask anyone who lives here and they'll have a story about this line breaking down). At the end of the line is...THE PACIFIC OCEAN. We still have a hard time actually believing that we live so close to the ocean. Off you jump of the MUNI, cross the Great Highway and there you are. Sand dunes and all.

But beware, apparently the waves can be a little dangerous. Nothing like getting right to the point.

We walked along Ocean Beach, admired the crazy folks who were parasailing, and couldn't stop talking about how warm it was that day. I think it was maybe 65 (ridiculous, I know). However, the last time we were at Ocean Beach was during an audition trip to SF in December about 5 years ago. We decided to walk most of the length of the city: all the way from the Tenderloin, through the entirety of Golden Gate Park TO THE OCEAN (about 6 miles up and down considerable hills). By the time we got to the ocean, our fingertips were frozen, we were starving, and the Beach Chalet seemed like an oasis (take our word for it, it's not). Needless to say, we couldn't possibly be inspired by the view at that moment. But this time, it was different. The wind was warm and even though the sky was grey, it was beautiful - in much the same way Lake Superior is.

After we tired of the pelicans, we walked back through the park, past the Polo fields (HAVE TO GO TO THERE), and waterfalls, through the Upper Haight and down to the inevitable end of every one of our outings, the Pub. 

We ended up in the Lower Haight after a quick trip to the record store, and quickly made our way to one of the best pubs in town, Toronado. Fantastic craft California IPA's and a fine selection of Belgians; BUT, the best part of it was that they had several bumper stickers on their wall from the infamous Wolski's of Milwaukee, WI. The music was terrible so we ventured across the street to a place that had recently been declared one of the best British pubs in the city, Mad Dog in the Fog. The sun had finally come out and we were enjoying our beers on the patio when we were befriended by two pre-destined Lucas Film employees.

One was a hilarious, outspoken Aussie who quickly helped himself to our chips and the other was a sweet guy from LA who had moved to San Rafael to be a sound producer at his "dream job." Mr. LA told us that sitting on his desk were the Star Wars toys he played with throughout his entire childhood. Of course, Aussie had to do one better. He told us that on top of his parents' wedding cake were none other than...Han Solo and Princess Leia. How could he possibly work anywhere else, right? But the coolest thing they told us was that Lucas still eats at the cafeteria, waits in line just like everyone else, and seems pretty down to earth. He does have an entire ranch in Marin (named Skywalker Ranch) and several roads in that area named accordingly, but...

Someone also felt right at home on this patio when he saw his fellow "Minnesotan" behind him...

No matter where we go, we can't get too far away from the NBA. :)

Speaking of feeling at home, we're pretty much settled into our new place. HGTV is filming some show directly across the street from us so we're thinking maybe we can ask them to come in and redecorate our living room while they're in the Town. We're looking forward to September and October since everyone has told us that is the best weather in the Bay Area. Simon is just looking forward to playing with his toy...per usual.